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| JOBS & CAREERS |
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Focus on
photography
Camaraderie works
Better biz confidence boosts hiring
FOOD for THOUGHT
Women workers trip on informal networking
Fit management
Happiness work
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Focus on
photography
With the advent of digital photography life has become relatively easy for the beginner in the field. You no longer have to wait till the roll you shot is developed only to discover that it is underexposed, overexposed, or blank. As the preview is instantaneous, you can adjust your camera settings to get the correct shot. You don’t have to sweat it out for hours in the darkroom, and you also save money on developing and printing, as you print only those shots you really need. With these developments, many youngsters might want to enter the world of professional photography. What are the options? What are the prospects? Where should one begin?
Photography is a diverse field, with each area requiring specialised equipment. You could venture into industrial and product photography, portraiture, fashion photography, portfolios, wildlife photography, sports photography, news photography, wedding and function photography. As far as jobs are concerned, one could find position in some government departments, police department, hospitals, private establishments, studios, newspaper and magazines. Many professionals also make video films along with still photography work, and they also make a lot of extra money by selling camera equipment, albums, and frames. North of Delhi, there are no institutes that train professional photographers. The University School of Open Learning, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has recently started a one-year diploma in photography and the minimum qualification required is Plus II. A number of good photographers have been produced by the Government College of Art, Chandigarh. Inderjit Gupta, who retired as Head of Department of Applied Art, says: “In Art College, photography is taught as a subject, but it is not offered as a specialisation. You are taught the basics of composition, form, colour, etc., which do help you in any field you might chose to specialise in later. Some students of mine have taken up photography as a career, and they are doing very well indeed.” Another way to learn photography is to become an apprentice. That way you not only learn, but you also earn at someone else’s expense. Suresh Sharma, a veteran photographer who runs Indiano in Sector 17, says: “I suggest the traditional way of becoming an assistant to a good photographer as an ideal way to learn the ropes of this career. That way you learn a lot without having to invest in
equipment. Plus, you see how experienced photographers handle assignments. There are books and DVDs that can be of great help, but there is no substitute for the hands-on experience. Digital photography has opened up new avenues for photographers. Now, apart from learning to handle cameras and other equipment, it is essential to have a good command over photoshop software. The market here is not as dynamic as that in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai etc, but we have industry in Ludhiana, Baddi, Kalka etc., from where assignments could be generated.” Regarding the future of the profession in this region, Photovision’s Vipin Bawa, President, Chandigarh Photographers’ Association, and General Secretary, Punjab Photographers’ Association, says: “There is very good future for photography in the region. To learn one could take admission in any of the good mass com institutes. They give training in various fields including, animation, videography and photography. So you get a good base. You could then decide to specialise. I have delivered lectures at five or six institutes in NOIDA, and they are doing very well. The key is to learn the latest techniques. As you know, photography has changed a lot in the past decade, you must cope with the new developments. I am 60, yet I keep learning, and as a result I am still going strong.” Surinder Dhami, photographer, Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, is slightly less optimistic about future prospects of photography here. “You could make a career out of photography in this region, but the scope is not as wide as it is in Delhi, Mumbai etc. Here the rates are too low, so most good photographers have pulled their shutters down and moved to other professions. Even the advertising agencies have closed down. There is some scope for making portfolios as there are so many dying to become models. But most of them are very amateurish. Largely you would be doing wedding and function photography here.” Vivek Bhardwaj of Dynamic Studio, Sector 8 stresses on quality. “There is very good scope here, but your work has to be of a very high standard. You must have very high resolution cameras, good lights, and lenses. I use Nikon D 300. You must also be an expert in Photoshop, and must be a good designer as well. The secret is specialisation. Don’t try to do everything. If you want to do industrial, do just that. Or if you are interested in portfolios, concentrate on that field only, and become the best.” The best thing to do would be to get a diploma or degree. A certificate does not guarantee professional quality work, but it does help if you are looking for a job. Later you could attach yourself with a professional, even if you have to work for free for a few months. The experience that you gather there will stand you in good stead in the years to come. This is a field which can be very exciting and rewarding financially.
Pay prospects
Initially, it’s bit hard to make a living in this field but if you’re extremely creative and prepared to put in the hard work along with getting equipped with good business skills, it could become a rewarding profession. An assistant working with a senior photographer can earn between Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,500 per month. One can also take up some freelancing jobs and then later work as a full time professional which could fetch anything from Rs 25,000 to 40,000 a month. Some fields such as fashion photography are even more lucrative if you’re an expert in the field. In case one has opted for self-employment, you can earn from 10,000 to 50,000 a day depending on the kind of assignments you get. Huge money could been fetched if one is a wedding photographer and is getting a big assignment. Your salary varies based on the place you’re working in and the creativity you bring to your work along with your experience in the field.
A career in photography offers the
following options:
Photojournalism Fashion and advertising photography If glamour attracts, then this is for you. It involves working with models and is quite a lucrative and creative field. The work could be used for advertising agencies, fashion houses and fashion magazines. Nature and wildlife photography If you’re a nature freak and also have a passion to capture it, then go for it. You can work for travel and geographic magazines, calendars as you travel around capturing waterfalls, landscapes, wildlife and other interesting shades of nature. Event photography Event photographers work for weddings and other events like sports meets, family functions etc. This still has strong demand for film photography, since most clients would like a copy of the negatives. Still photography This involves the capturing of inanimate natural or man-made objects. Portrait photography is one example of this, where you can capture pictures of children, pets etc. You can run your own studio or work for someone. Capturing pictures for cookbooks is another good opportunity. Travel photography If you love adventure and travelling then travel photography could be good option for you. Travel photographers can work for the hospitality industry, travel magazines and websites. It requires being able to capture the right shot at the right moment.
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Career Hotline
— Simran Bedi A. Yes you are. As a Voice and Accent Trainer you will teach candidates how to roll their r’s and soften their d’s, fix their accent, spruce up their grammar to enable them to breeze through a 5-minute conversation with an American or European at the other end of the line. Their services range from hiring the suitable candidates to training them in the requisite voice and accent. This is a new breed of professionals who have come up as a result of the ever increasing call centres in the country. Whereas earlier, call centre executives needed to be trained to use a specific American or British accent, now a neutral Global English is the acceptable norm. A single call centre can hire between 20 to 60 voice and accent trainers who take training sessions with the executives, monitor calls and identify agents who need a refresher course. Accent trainers are handpicked for the job because of their clarity of speech and fluency. Needless to say, unlike your present job, the timings may be erratic and you may need to work night shifts. To become a voice and accent trainer you need to have an excellent command over English which you must have since you are a teacher of English. Besides, you must have a passion for training, good people skills and oodles of patience and enthusiasm. A graduate/ postgraduate degree in any discipline is a mandatory requirement. A Certification in Teaching English to Adults would be a good add-on. It would go a long way if you have traveled abroad and are familiar with Western cultural nuances. Many companies prefer to hire candidates with BPO experience. But anyone — be it a housewife, fresh graduate or even retired person — can join the industry if they have the requisite skill set. Most V & A trainers grow from the ranks after having worked for a few years in the BPO sector. Besides call centres you can seek employment with BPO finishing / training schools, which have sprung up all over.
Maths buzz
Q. What exactly is industrial mathematics? Where do these mathematicians work?
— Kritika Mahajan
Scientific computing, semiconductor devices, image processing, electro-optics, very large integrated systems (VLIS), and sensor technology are some of the emerging areas of high technology. As classical geometry is ‘inadequate’ to understand the intricacies of nature, a new geometry called “Fractal Geometry” has been invented by a mathematician. It has proved useful in studying and picturing mountains, skies, rainfall, coastal lines, artificial scenery, and designs and patterns through computers. This technique has revolutionised the film industry, image processing and data compression techniques, leading to the compact disc. In recent years, as new technologies have been developed, the demand for professionals capable of modeling and simulating these emerging technologies has increased dramatically. Modeling, analysis and computations performed by industrial mathematicians working with other professionals can provide technical advantages and cost savings, important for a company’s competitive edge. Industry mathematicians usually work in multi-disciplinary teams and cover a wide range of industrial areas from aircraft and automobile design to software development, computer security and weather modeling and prediction. They are mainly hired by the computer software industry, electronics and computer manufacturers, aerospace and transportation equipment manufacturers, chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturers, communication service providers, engineering research organisations, consulting firms and some government agencies. For a wealth of info on this subject, check the website (www siam.org/careers/thinking.php) of the Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics (SIAM), especially their pages on Thinking of a Career in Applied Mathematics?
Eligible for armed forces
Q. I am thinking of enrolling in the Aeronautical Society of India for a course in Aeronautical Engineering. After completing the course, will I be eligible to apply for the position of an engineer in the armed forces?
— Dimpy Johar A. The Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) conducts an Associate Membership Examination. Since Sections A and B of this exam are recognised by the MHRD, as being at par with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from an Indian university, you stand eligible to apply for the position of an engineer with the armed forces.
Master’s in geography
Q. I have just completed my Bachelor’s in Geography and am working in a BPO. I am keen on pursuing a Master’s in the subject. Could you please suggest where all I can apply.
— Kuldeep Singh A. Here are some universities that offer MA Geography (Dist): Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, Directorate of Distance Education, Sardarshahr (Raj) (www.iaseduniv.org) Jiwaji University, Gwalior (MP) (www.idejug.org) Kurukshetra University, Directorate of Corresp Courses, Kurukshetra (www.kuk.ernet.in) MSc Geography (Dist) Netaji Subhash Open University Kolkata (www.wbnsou.com). Please check if the university and its courses are duly recognised by the Distance Education Council.
One of its kind course
Q. I am very keen to make a career in space sciences. Could you please suggest a good course I could pursue preferably straight after Class XII.
— Madhur Talwar I would strongly recommend you to check out their B Tech programmes in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics and Physical Sciences since you are so keen to make a career in this field. Students passing out of IIST with the minimum specified academic performance are absorbed in ISRO as scientists / engineers. An assistantship package is offered by the Departent of Space for all the BTech students to cover the complete cost of education, board and lodging. Admission to the B Tech is through the IIST Admission Test (ISAT) which consists of two objective type question papers (2-hrs each). The questions are from physics, chemistry and mathematics. The test is conducted in 30 cities all over India. This year, ISAT-2010 was held in mid-April and the results were announced in May. Eligibility: Those who have cleared Class XII in first attempt. ISAT is only open to Indian citizens. For more info: www.iist.ac.in
Research vs corporate career
Q. What is the advantage of opting for the Fellow Programme in Management vis-à-vis PGDM?
— Digvijay Soin A. Whereas PG programmes in management are meant to prepare you for a corporate career, the Fellow Programmes equip you for a different purpose altogether: i.e. research and academics. In the FPM, you go deeper into the concepts till you begin to think for yourself and then hopefully you begin to formulate some concepts of your own as well.
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Camaraderie works
Having friends in office provides the much needed respite from the monotony of the day. Not only does it break the ice but small talk over coffee opens up a line of communication between co-workers. Team benefit Moreover, friends at workplace are important for career also. These days work is allocated not to an individual but to groups or teams. In such a situation the spirit of camaraderie and a healthy rapport between the members of the team becomes very important. Being friends does not necessarily mean going out for dinners or movies but a spirit of cooperation at workplace. Companies usually encourage socialisation among employees believing that it would result in improved morale and better work outcome. While friendships between co-workers of the same level are acceptable, it is not a good idea to be friends with the boss. Such a friendship generally creates jealousy among colleagues and prompts accusations of favouritism. Though personal chemistry and likes and dislikes usually serve as the deciding factors in developing a friendship, at workplace one has to go an extra mile to develop that spirit of camaraderie. There are certain strategies that can make friendship flower at the workplace: Talk, talk talk The first step towards making friends at work is talk. Talking is how people get to know each other and open up. The conversation may vary from work related issues to personal likings and disliking. Greet with open heart Many people hesitate to be the first ones to offer a greeting or make the first gesture. So take the initiative by offering a warm handshake and starting the conversation. Body language also plays a critical role in conveying friendliness, approachability and confidence. Listen patiently Being a good listener and inculcating empathy are two keys to make co-workers comfortable and willing to share information. Spread the sunshine Be pleasant with everyone and let friendships develop slowly and naturally over the course of working together. Build a bond by taking on extra work, exceeding commitments and completing the assignment no one else wants to take up. Show genuine interest in the other person’s life by asking them about their kids, ailing grandparents or pets. Demonstrate loyalty to gain the confidence and trust of co-workers. Solve problems Resolve disputes and differences as soon as they crop up instead of keeping them pending. Confront issues without being argumentative and be ready to hear what the other person has to say. Try not to blame a person without understanding the circumstances. Seeing things from the other person’s point of view gives a larger perspective of the situation. Accept faults Accept fault and apologise instead of giving the impression of being always right and proving others wrong. Most importantly acknowledge a job well done since appreciation from co-workers is as important as praise from superiors. The most common way of making friends at work are breaks especially lunch hour. “Having lunch” is a way to interact and make friends. Avoid gossip One of the biggest obstacles in making friends at work is the tendency of people to create a comfort zone around themselves. Most of us tend to limit ourselves to the people we work with directly. Effort should be made to expand the friend circle and interact with people outside the immediate team. Having friends in various departments gives a perspective on how and where the organisation is moving. Gossiping is the quickest way of losing friends and making foes in the office. Avoid indulging in gossip, and if one is caught in such a session one should try changing the topic. However, excessive socialisation with friends at work can result in wastage of time and low productivity. Hence time management is crucial for maintaining a balance between work and socialisation. Strong friendships forged at workplace go much beyond and last regardless of a change in job.
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Better biz confidence boosts hiring
A spurt in the economic growth and the improved business confidence resulted in a 23 per cent growth in India Inc’s hiring activity in the month of July, as against the same period a year ago.
Naukri.com’s monthly job index — JobSpeak — moved up to 963 in July this year compared to 783 in the same month of 2009. Recruitments in July also showed an improvement over the previous month as well, with the job index increasing by two per cent (to 963) in July from 947 in June, the study found. “Hiring activity has been increasing in the country on the back of improving business sentiments and higher attrition level,” Info Edge Chief Financial Officer Ambarish Raghuvanshi said. Besides he said, “There are some pleasant hues in terms of the core sectors like auto, insurance, pharma and oil and gas taking a lead in job creation in the economy.” The pharma and insurance sectors have been bullish on hiring, with the sector registering a notable growth of 19 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively in the job index for July compared to June. Other key industry sectors such as auto and oil and gas exhibited strong hiring growth, with the sectoral job indices moving up by 9 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, in July compared to June. In July, some sectors seemed to be on a comeback mode with a growth of 6 per cent in real estate jobs and 3 per cent in the retail and IT-Software over June — reflecting the underlying positive growth scenario and business confidence in these sectors. Similarly, demand for professionals in project management and sales moved up by 13 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively in July against the last month. Geographically, Mumbai and Delhi witnessed an upsurge in jobs in the period under review with their job indices moving up by four per cent and three per cent, respectively, as against June. On the contrary, Bangalore and Chennai saw a dip in the index by seven per cent and three per cent, respectively. In addition, hiring has been bullish in the first six months of this year, with 22 per cent more recruitment seen in the January-June period of 2010 compared to the same period last year. “The continuous upward movement of the job index over the past few months surely instills a lot of confidence in the psyche of the jobseeker,” the report stated. —
PTI
Export sector rocks
New Delhi: With exports turning positive since November 2009, the sector added 1.87 lakh jobs during the January-March period over the previous quarter. “As per the quarterly quick surveys conducted by the Labour Bureau..., the employment for the exporting units has increased by 1.87 lakh during January to March over October to December 2009,” Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. Due to the global economic slowdown that became prominent in 2008, lakhs of people were rendered jobless particularly in the labour intensive export sector. In 2008-09, about 1.16 million people lost their jobs due to export slump in sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery and leather. After declining for 13 months since October 2008, exports turned positive from November last year. Exports grew by over 30 per cent in the first three months of the current fiscal. In 2009-10, the overseas shipments were $182 billion, down from the $ 185 billion in the previous fiscal. — PTI
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FOOD for THOUGHT
The analyses of the data were conducted to identify relationships between employee job satisfaction and outcome measures of the organisations. The results indicate that employee work perceptions predict important organisational outcomes if employees have positive perceptions of their jobs, their organisation’s benefit via higher employee retention, increased customer loyalty, and improved financial outcomes. Interestingly, the analysis, led by James K. Harter of Gallup Inc, suggests that employee perceptions affect outcomes more than outcomes affect employee perceptions of their jobs. “One implication is that changes in management practices that improve employee perceptions of specific work situation variables will increase business-unit outcomes, including financial outcomes,” the researchers said. Moreover, the researchers offer that one way managers can help boost job satisfaction and help their organisation may be to “clarify expectations for employees by helping employees see the ultimate outcomes the organisation is working to achieve and how they play a role in achieving those outcomes”. The findings have been published in the ‘Perspectives on Psychological Science’ journal. —
PTI
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Women workers trip on informal networking
NEW YORK: Informal networks at work are fostering inequality and preventing women from advancing their careers and breaking through the glass ceiling, according to new research.
Professor Gail McGuire, of Indiana University South Bend, found that women do not get the same assistance as men from informal connections in the workplace. “We have laws that prohibit discrimination and enforce equal pay, but that only touches the surface,” McGuire said. “We need to look at informal professional structures, not formal ones. These are the real sources of inequality.” McGuire, the chair of the department of sociology and anthropology at the university, evaluated informal networks at one of the country’s largest financial services organisations with a nine-page survey of 1,100 employees. Although men were outnumbered by women in the company, they still occupied higher positions in the firm. And the people in the top jobs, regardless of whether they were men or women, were more likely to help men rather than women further their careers through informal networks. McGuire said the finding was consistent with other research that has shown that when women make it to the top, they adopt the dominant framework and ideas of their male counterparts. “Even when they were connected to that high level person, women were less likely to get help in getting a promotion from that person than a similarly situated man,” McGuire, who presented her findings to the American Sociological Association meeting, explained in an interview. When she controlled for factors such as the person’s level of experience and the amount of time with the company the findings were the same. “It basically boiled down to because they were women,” she said. “This is how sexism in this decade is manifesting itself. It is not through really overt negativity, but much more subtle and because it is part of these informal practices which are not touched by laws, it is very, very difficult to change.” McGuire said companies and organisations need to be aware of the impact of informal networks in the workplace. “The nature of inequality has changed. We need to start understanding how these informal networks and structures work and we need to start making employers aware of their implications and consequences for women,” she said.
— Reuters
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Manners matter,mannerisms don’t
Youngsters aspiring for good jobs and bright career try hard to cultivate personality. But often, their concept of “personality” is flawed. They equate it with a polished exterior. Hence, they follow the current craze in fashion and begin to think that they have developed an impressive personality.
Fashion and personality, however, are two different things. The former is the art and science of being “seen”. The latter is the art and science of “being”. The former depends on “looks”, the latter on “outlook”. By following the former, you can become fashionable, modern but remain untouched by modernity. Personality is the total you. It is a balanced, harmonious blend of your qualities and characteristics. It includes the physical but it does not exclude emotional, intellectual, mental, educational, spiritual and religious dimensions. It is the “total” you. It is this “total” which either wins you a job, or makes you lose it. It is this which decides whether a person will have a lasting, lucrative career or makes an also-ran! It is this which makes a magnetic, explosive person who has a halo about him. Or makes you an “I-wrapped” pigmy who makes a small package for any organisation. Another myth that many youngsters stick to is about personality being the quality or state of being a person. Mannerism is affected or exaggerated adherence to a particular manner. It is a small window which shows what a person is not. Mannerisms are the appurtenances which one picks up as a magnet picks up filings. But whereas the magnet dominates the situation, mannerisms may grow so pointed that even a genial personality may become warped by them. You may develop a stammer, nervous tic, a sudden shyness. Or you may be given to hitching up your trousers, shrugging your shoulders, wrinking your nose, or kissing the cuff. Some remark “You understand”? Good manners always pay. Imagine a candidate set for an important interview. He is intelligent and quick on the uptake. He has had a hair-cut, his clothes are well-brushed and ironed. His shoes shine like twin mirrors. Yet when the crucial moment comes, he either forgets to shut the door behind him and says “Good morning” instead of “Good afternoon”. Many mannerisms mar your good manners — without your knowing it. You pay the price. One who puts up a show of artificial confidence, betrays himself by breaking his finger joints right under the gaze of the keen-eyed interviewer. Another keeps tapping his shoes under the table as if he is unconsciously playing to an invisible musical instrument. Many young girls intelligent and smart are given to adjust their “dupatta” time and again sign of unnecessary edginess. When the interviewer notices the mannerism, they blush scarlet. Artificiality shows itself in contradiction, too. The body language shows ‘yes’ to a question but the verbal is ‘no’. That is why being true to yourself is the greatest asset. The most impressive and effective personality is he who has no affections, no need to watch himself through other’s eyes. His absorption is his work has the fascination truth. He has built for himself a zone of silence and aloneness which the world is chary and intruding upon. Such a personality has no occasion to think in terms of success and failure. It is left to lesser ones to keep up with the Joneses. Mannerisms are personality quirks, not assets. They divert others mind from your real plus points. Fine manners leave more lasting impact then a beautiful. The former “bind”, the latter only attract.
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Fit management
Healthcare is one of India’s leading sectors that is expanding rapidly in terms of employment and revenue.
The Indian healthcare industry is expected to grow to $ 280 billion by 2020. The Indian healthcare market was estimated at $ 35 billion in 2007 and is expected to reach over $ 70 billion by 2012. According to the Investment Commission of India, the healthcare sector has experienced phenomenal growth of 12 per cent per annum in the past four years. But in spite of this growth nearly one million people die every year due to inadequate healthcare facilities, 700 million people have no access to specialist care. India also faces a huge gap in term of the availability of hospital beds per 1,000 persons. Rising income levels and a growing elderly population are the factors that have contributed towards the growth of this sector. In addition, changing demographics, disease profiles and the shift from chronic to lifestyle diseases in the country with rising per capita income, has led to an increased spending on healthcare by people. Apart from medical professionals the demand for management professionals has also increased greatly in this sector. Today, approximately 10 lakh people serve in health management positions ranging from middle management to CEO level positions in organisations. According to employment trends and industry estimates, this figure of healthcare management professionals is likely to at 15 per cent per year. India is, therefore, experiencing a drastic change in the growth of healthcare services. It is amply evident from figures arrived at by various study reports that the healthcare industry is creating ample jobs opportunities for people in healthcare management segment. Several institutes are offering healthcare management courses. The Master programme in Health Administration (MHA) is one such course that offers a good scope.
Scope
Those with a degree in health administration can get jobs in the government sector, hospital consultancy firms, hospital planning and quality, IT industries, teaching, lifestyle clinics, health insurance, NGOs, health insurance, health informatics etc. There is high demand for trained professionals in this field; the pay package is impressive at the entry level. Freshers can expect an annual pay packet of around Rs 1.5 to 2.5 lakh. Those with a master’s degree can earn almost double this amount to begin with then the amount is almost doubles. — The writer is Director, ICRI Health, New Delhi
INSTITUTE WATCH
Institute of Clinical Research, New Delhi, Dehradun, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad & Ahmedabad Lovely Professional University , Jalandhar Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Pune Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai ASCI Hinduja Institute of Healthcare Management, Hyderabad T.A Pai Management Institute, Manipal
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Happiness work
Krishna in the Gita (2.50) defines yoga as proficiency in action. He asks Arjuna (2.2, 2.11), “While you speak words like a scholar, you talk of choices that would not benefit you?” As Duryodhana had been practicing his mace-wielding skills on Bhima’s iron statue on all days during the Pandava exile, he was invincible. Bhima admitted so when he sought forgiveness from Duryodhana’s mother Gandhari after the war for unfairly killing her son. Even while Arjuna had got the better of Karna thrice earlier — at Draupadi’s swayamvar, Dwaitavana and during the assault on Matsya — Karna thought highly of his prowess. While Bhishma and Drona estimated that they could single handedly destroy the Pandava army in a month and Kripacharya figured he could do it in two months, Karna boasted that he could accomplish the task in five days, much to the amusement of the Kuru seniors. Not knowing the greatness of Kabir, Emperor Sikandar Lodi ordered that he be drowned, locked up in a hut and burnt alive and trampled to death by an elephant, but the saint emerged from the three trials unscathed. Similarly, her husband Rana Bhojraj’s attempts to drown Mira failed due to her intense devotion to Krishna. Her brother-in-law’s attempts to poison her thrice — through a snake, on a bed with poison-tipped nails and with a poisoned drink — met with the same fate. Though talented, the blind and illiterate Soordas had little knowledge of Krishna. When he heard that the great scholar Vallabhacharya was on his way to Vrindavan, he became his disciple and rendered many verses to the delight of devotees. While Arjuna was telling her how to negotiate the Chakravyuha, the pregnant Subhadra fell asleep midway. Overhearing their conversation, Abhimanyu, their son, got to know how to enter the formation, but never made an attempt to learn the way to get out from any of the Kuru or Yadava seniors. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at
svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Who has played the maximum number of cricket Test matches in the world? 2. Which currency notes are set to replace the damaged and soiled paper notes in the country soon? 3. Which university, believed to be the oldest in the world and a celebrated centre of Buddhist learning in ancient India, is set to be revived? 4. Who is remembered as the founder of Himachal Pradesh? 5. Which Tamil sci-fi film about a robot, featuring Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai, is being touted as the costliest film of India with a budget of Rs 150 crore? 6. Who featured in and sang the famous song “paanch rupaiya barah aana” in the film “Chalti ka naam gaadi”? 7. Who is the president of Hockey India? 8. Who hit a century in India’s last innings against Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test recently, making the former win by five wickets? 9. How many runs were completed by Virender Sehwag in Test cricket recently? 10. Who has become the first Indian woman shooter to win a gold medal at a world championship? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 367: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Bhavsimran Singh Malhi, class IX-C, St Joseph’s Convent Secondary School, Civil Lines, Bathinda, Pin Code – 151001 Second: Nitu Sharma, class VII, Government Senior Secondary School, Retoli, district Jind, Haryana, Pin Code – 132112 Third: Rahul Soni, class V-B, Army Public School, Beas, Dhilwan, district Kapurthala, Pin Code – 144804 Answers to quiz 367: Jantar Mantar; Himachal Pradesh; SY Quraishi; Shiv Kumar Batalvi; Maitri; December 14, 1911; Cluster Bombs; Saina Nehwal; Suresh Raina; Sir Donald Bradman Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent directly at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place to facilitate the delivery of the prize money.
Answers can also be sent
at quiz@tribunemail.com
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If you are visually creative, and have a way with gadgets, photography might be the right profession for you, writes Kuldip Dhiman
It’s a part of journalism in which images are used to tell news stories. It requires promptness and instinct to generate ideas to make a news story from pictures. Can create a news story from pictures taken during a war or riots in the city/country. Photojournalists should be prepared to take risks like going to war zones, disaster zones etc. This also covers feature photography like capturing pictures for an entire theme or subject and telling a news story. You can work independently or work for a news agency.
Q. I have been an English teacher for the past five years. I also coach students in personality development at a small institute in the evenings. Am I eligible to become a voice and accent trainer in the BPO sector?
A. Industrial mathematics has become a buzzword in the US, Europe and Japan in the last decade. In fact, this branch of applied mathematics is not only the queen of all sciences but is also the mother of all technologies.
A. The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), is Asia’s first space university and the only one in the world to offer courses right from undergraduate to doctoral level in Space Science and Technology.
Camaraderie or friendly ties with co-workers in workplace is no longer an option but a necessity.With increasing competition and workload a person usually spends around 12 hours in office. As a consequence having a friend at work is important both professionally and personally.
Happy employees are the key to an organisation’s success, says a new study. Researchers have based their findings on an analysis of data, like employee satisfaction, employee retention rates, customer loyalty, and financial performance of organisations, from more than 2,000 business units of 10 companies.
Yudhisthira had a weakness for the game of dice but he had little knowledge of it. He lost twice to the skilful Shakuni in the court of Hastinapur.
